My Latin Extravaganza for the POD

This article was first published by GCN - Gay Community News - my place of work. But of course I have to share here for my Marlife audience.

GCN’s very own Marlon Jimenez-Compton, after securing a regular slot on The Power Of Dreams Show, is offering you next Wednesday a ‘Latin Extravaganza’ on Dublin South FM. In his own words, Marlon says “I promise I am offering you a bonanza of rhythm, colours and great vibes. For sure, rhythm is gonna get you”.

Marlon said his mission with the show is to “spread positivity, good vibes and of course love which is something we need at the moment due to the lockdown. So it would be a good way for [people] to listen to something that is gonna bring a smile to their faces.”

Speaking to GCN, Marlon, who is from Venezuela, grew up listening and dancing to Latin music. He says that dancing to Salsa and Merengue was for him like a happy workout and very therapeutic.

“You dance for hours and hours just enjoying those songs that not only make you move but also bring you joy and contentment,” he said.

He also confesses that for him, in particular, the Latin Extravaganza show brings a touch of nostalgia to him, but in a happy way, as he is not dancing as much as he used to – which is why sometimes you might catch him on his social media dancing and singing to Latin Music and both Spanish and English.

As you can imagine, his show is packed with Latin moves and rhythm. In his own words, one of his colourful purposes is “to make you feel you are in front of the Caribbean sea with a cocktail in your hands full of happiness and joy.”

Marlon is using his platform on Dublin South 93.9FM to highlight some of the causes close to his heart, while still supporting his clients from GCN. In this month’s show, he will highlight the work of SpunOut.ie.

Listen to Marlon Jimenez-Compton’s Latin Extravaganza this Wednesday, July 1 and a repeat on Friday, July 3. Both dates air at noon on Dublin South 93.9FM or on dublinsouthfm.ie

Marlon/Marlife

Image by Luis Aviles Ortiz https://slingshotgraphicdesign.com/

My HB's posts on Facebook

If you follow me on social media, you migh have realised by now I am a social media nutter. I am on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter, and I love the fact that I have a platform to convey my messages whatever they might be.

I recently started to wish Happy Birthday to some people on Facebook by videos. I think it is a more personal way to send my wishes, but also it is a great way to let them know you are truly and sincerely thinking of them. I wish I could do it with everyone, but it requires so much time that I don't really have.

Now I know my intentions were good and as you might say "cute", but oh my god, I was not expecting the reaction they have received in particular by those directly celebrated - which is what is lovely about sending a positive message full of love, people react to them in such a loving way that it is encouraging for me to continue celebrating people's Birthdays.

I am sharing below the last three videos I recently sent and the reaction by those who received them.      

                        Happy Birthday Meghana Sridhar!

                        

@meghanasridhar7

A birthday wish like no other 🤗

@marlife16 and I were colleagues at Facebook Ireland - getting to know him in person, through his blog, staying in touch via social media even after moving continents, and learning about the causes he values & advocates for made me a big Marlon-fan! He exudes positivity, pure heart and kindness. He teaches the world not to take oneself too seriously and that every moment should be cherished cuz you never know what next; he lives by that philosophy..leads by example. .
His journey from his home land Venezuela, to activism about gay rights, and being a voice of awareness about abuse inspire me no end!
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On some of my lowest days, Marlon’s words have picked me up; he’s been the rainbow at the end of a storm. We’re physically so far away from each other and are on such different journeys in life, yet he has a huge impact on me.
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This is the video he made for my birthday and it touched me deeply; I want to share this cuz everyone deserves a piece of @marlife16 in their lives 💜 Obrigado amor! 🌈

                                                   Happy Birthday Maria Callaghan!

                                           To watch my message to Maria, click HERE

Happy Birthday Caoilinn Taylor McGlade!

To see Caoilinn's video, click HERE

As you can see, it is so emotionally rewarding to receive such lovely reactions. I will always try to spread love and positive vibes every time I can and every where I have. It makes me feel good and I love celebrating people.

Marlon/Marlife

It was time for a change - Marlife's new art graphic.

Hi guys

First of all, I would like to say thank you so much for allowing me to share with you my craziness online. Thank you for every click you have pressed when I have posted something I wrote or a video dancing and singing, or for whatever it is you think deserves your support to me.

In my March, 18th 2014, I published my very first blog on  #marlife which I titled “Welcome to Marlife!!!” and the response was greater than I expected. The reason I created a blog was because the reactions some of my Facebook posts would receive, so I thought it was a good idea to create my own platform to express whatever I would want to.

Six years on now, I still love my baby and I wish I could have more time to dedicate to it. However, life is busy and with all the social media channels I have, it is quite hard and time consuming to be loyal to all of them at the same time.

Time for a change

The great image you can see below was created by David Park,  someone whose work is amazing and he is also someone my husband and I can call a friend. It is worth mentioning that David created art graphics for my blog for Saint Patrick’s and Christmas. Needless to say his dedication to his work always produces content of high quality. 

After six years, I felt it was time to change the image and so I did.

As you can see, I have already used the image as Marlife's new face, and I am so excited to the extend I want to show it to you below hehehe. The image is a collaboration between photographer Babs Daly and graphic designer Dave Darcy. Dave is the graphic designer for GCN - Gay Community News - the LGBT+ publication I work for. I am very happy with the final result and I hope you will appreciate it, too.

To see more of Dave Darcy’s work, you can visit https://onestrongarm.com/ & for more of Babs Daly's visit @theinkfactory and @piercied.ie

Once again, thank you for your support and feel free to tell me what you think?

Marlon/Marlife